CIS Hoops.ca

Canada caught a bit of a break when Francisco Garcia missed his second consecutive game today due to an injury.

Sacramento Kings forward Francisco Garcia is listed as doubtful for the Dominican Republic's quarterfinal game Friday against Canada.

Coach Julio Toro confirmed the injury after Thursday's 86-73 victory over Mexico.

"Francisco has a cut in one of his fingers. He basically has a nail out of place," Toro said. "I was told (Thursday) that he wouldn't be available and I haven't been told if he will be available (Friday)."

Argentina defeated Uruguay 73-66 earlier this afternoon meaning Canada only has to win straight up tonight against Dominican Republic to qualify for 2010 FIBA World basketball championships. Tonight's game is available LIVE! on FIBA TV and then on a tape delay basis on the SCORE beginning at 10 PM.

The Argy's jumped out to a 22-6 first quarter lead and kept it in double digits for much of the second half until Uruguay scored the first 9 points of the fourth quarter culminated by a slam by 6'10" Estaban Batista, to get to within within 4 with 6 minutes remaining. However Argentina's emerging NBA star 6'10" Luis Scola then imposed his will on the game, scoring two straight buckets, then blocking a shot and later finishing an "and 1" which led to a 10-0 run, reestablishing a 14 point lead with under 5 minutes to play and the result was never in doubt after that. In all, Scola (19 points, 8 rebounds in only 20 minutes) had 11 fourth-quarter points and short-handed Argentina, who many in pre-tournament talk had reduced to wild card status, showed that whispers about their country's demise a world basketball power are greatly exaggerated.

Up-to-date Standings

1. Brasil 6/0
2. Argentina 6/1
3. Puerto Rico 5/1
4. República Dominicana 3/3
5. Canada 2/4
6. Uruguay 2/5
7. Panamá 1/6
8. Mexico 1/6

Thanks to the fine team at Streaming Sports Network (SSN), led by President Bengt Neathery, both NCAA vs. CIS games in Ottawa this coming weekend will be streamed over the Internet LIVE! On Sunday, September 6th at 1 PM, St. John's Red Storm meets defending national champs Carleton Ravens and then that same day at 8:30 PM St. John's moves across town to face Ottawa Gee-Gees at Montpetit Hall. Both games can be accessed by clicking here

The Streaming Sports Network has grown in size and scope since humble beginnings about five years ago to the point where all CIS Nationals tournament games were webcast from Scotiabank Place last year including pre-halftime-and-post game shows, enabling fans across the country to watch preliminary round games. Expect SSN to continue their dedication to supporting a new delivery medium for CIS basketball with extensive pre-season, regular season and post-season coverage.

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Online Coverage Of St. John's Trip To Canada Includes Live Streaming On Sunday

Videos, photos and blogs to also be provided on RedStormSports.com, Twitter and Facebook.

QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's men's basketball team is traveling to Canada this Labor Day weekend, and students, alumni and fans are invited. The Red Storm's four-day trip - which includes an early-season test with four games in two days vs. formidable Canadian university squads - will be chronicled online via RedStormSports.com and the Red Storm's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

St. John's will face an ambitious Canadian schedule, meeting McGill University (1 p.m.) and the University of Quebec at Montreal (8 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the teams' home venues. The Red Storm heads to Ottawa, Canada's capital city, to meet Carleton University (1 p.m.) and the University of Ottawa (8:30 p.m.) on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Both of St. John's Sunday games in Ottawa - at 1 p.m. vs. the Carleton Ravens and at 8:30 p.m. against the Ottawa University Gee-Gees - will be broadcast live on the Internet by Canada's Streaming Sports Network (SSN), a leader in online Canadian sports coverage. Live video and audio of the Red Storm's Sunday matchups will be available on SSN's website, www.ssncanada.ca. A limited number of subscriptions to both broadcasts have been pre-purchased, so be sure to log on early for free access. Also, those with the ability to understand French may be able to listen live to the Red Storm's Saturday night 8 p.m. matchup against the University of Quebec at Montreal at www.chocfm.com.

In addition to the live coverage on SSN, St. John's fans can log on to RedStormSports.com each evening during the trip for the daily "St. John's In Canada" report. Each entry will recap the team's daily activities and provide game recaps, featuring a detailed summary and each game's box score. The "St. John's In Canada" reports will also link to exclusive daily photo galleries on RedStormSports.com, capturing all of the day's activities.

According to Barry Hayes recruiting site at Hoopstars Canada the Spartans have had arguably the best, and almost for certain the deepest recruiting class in Canada with a pair of D1 transfers from Portland State in 6'8" Kyle Coston and 6'6" Tyrell Mara plus several other transfers from the U.S. college/JUCO scene. This article introduces last season's BCCAA Player-of-the-Year 6'8" Clint Wickham.


BCCAA star joins TWU: 6'8" college standout will bolster an already impressive TWU lineup.

The top collegiate men's basketball player in B.C. has joined the Trinity Western University Spartans.

TWU head coach Scott Allen has signed BCCAA 2008/09 Player of the Year Clint Wickham.

"Clint is a versatile forward who has gained great experience at the college level, and we expect that he will adjust his game quickly to the CIS level," Allen said. "He is a quality person who excels in all areas and he will make us deeper at the forward position while bringing great tenacity at the defensive end of the floor."

In addition to his Player of the Year Award, Wickham was named CCAA All-Canadian, and BC Player of the Week two times while earning Basketball BC's College Player of the Year honours.

The 6'8" third-year forward from Langara College and Cambie Secondary averaged 18.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to lead the Falcons to a 13-5 record and a second place league finish in the BCCAA.

The native of Richmond, who plans to study business next year at TWU, commented on his joining the Spartans next season.

"I am looking forward to representing TWU both on the court and in the classroom," Wickham said. "To combine my education with my passion for basketball is really a dream come true."

The Spartans finished the 2008/09 season by earning a Canada West bronze medal while setting program records for Canada West wins in a season (17) and wins in a row (12).

Kyle Coston 6’8” F (transfer/Portland State; 6.2 ppg in 2008-09)*
Tyrell Mara 6’6” F (transfer/Portland State; 3.6 ppg in 2008-09)
Calvin Westbrook 6’5” G (transfer/Cal. State-Stanislaus; 10.0 ppg in 2007-08)
Tristan Smith 6’0” PG (transfer/Fraser Valley; 14.3 ppg in 2008-09)*
Niko Monachini 6’6” F (transfer/Yuba JuCo)
Lucian Sauciuc 6’2” G (transfer/Thompson Rivers; 3.7 ppg in 2007-08)
Tyler Noble 6’4” G (transfer/Ottawa; played in 1 game in 2008-09)*
Luke Braund 6’5” F (Vancouver, BC/St. George’s)
Kurtis Osborne 6’6” F (Surrey, BC/Southridge)
Clint Wickham 6’8” F (transfer/Langara College; 18.4 ppg in 2008-09)
Elijah Nakagawa 5’9” PG (transfer/Columbia Bible College; 15.1 ppg in 2008-09)

Chattanooga visits the GTA this coming weekend beginning with a game Saturday at noon against U of T Varsity Blues. The Mocs as they are known have had heavy roster turnover from last season as Head Coach John Shulman looks to develop a rotation.

The first article is from gomocs.com and previews Chattanooga's trip to Toronto. Another article is from a local Chattanooga newspaper and talks about a player suspension.

Mocs get head start on 2009-10 season

Some may think it is football time in Tennessee, but it is basketball time in Toronto, Canada as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball program heads north of the border for a four-game-in-three-day tour of the international city. The Mocs depart Chattanooga at 4:30 p.m., on Friday with a scheduled return around 9:43 p.m., on Monday. This keeps the student-athletes from missing a single class.

It also gives a team with no returning starters a jump start on preparing to defend its Southern Conference title in 2009-10. With 10 days of practice to prepare and four games, the Mocs will get a clear picture of what they need to do when practice begins in earnest in October.

This trip is not only basketball. Toronto is one of the world's great cities. Staying downtown gives the Mocs a wealth of cultural opportunities. The team will also take in a major league baseball game with the Toronto Blue Jays hosting the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon.

Founded on the north shore of Lake Ontario in 1834, Toronto is the largest city in Canada with a population of 2.4 million in the city, and 4.7 million in the greater metropolitan area. Fun Facts about Toronto (from rotmancommerce.com):

One quarter of Canada's population lives within a 160 km radius of Toronto
There are 100 +languages spoken throughout the city

Over half of Toronto's labor force has a university degree or college diploma
Toronto is Canada's number one tourist destination

Toronto is the largest and most important financial center in all of Canada and the fourth largest in North America. Only New York, Chicago and Los Angeles are larger.

North America's largest continuous underground pedestrian system PATH, connects about 1200 stores and restaurants, 50 office towers, five subway stations, Union Station, six major hotels and several entertainment centers under Toronto's financial core.

Yonge Street is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest street in the world, stretching 1,896 km from the lakeshore in Toronto, north to Rainy River, Ontario, near the Minnesota border.

Toronto is home to one of the world's tallest free-standing structures, the CN Tower standing 1,815 feet (553 meters) tall.

Toronto is the third largest center for English language theatre in the world, behind New York and London.

Toronto's public transit system is the second largest in North America and has the highest per capita ridership rate on the continent.

The Toronto Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals.

Many of today's famous movie stars hail from Toronto and the GTA including Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and Eugene Levy.

About 25% of films produced in Hollywood are actually filmed in Toronto, making it North America's 3rd largest TV and movie production venue.

The Caribana parade is the largest single-day parade and largest Caribbean festival in North America.

Toronto is North America's 5th-largest city after Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago

The Mocs will play four games in three days beginning with the University of Toronto on Saturday at Noon. The schedule for the weekend:

Sat., Sept. 5: University of Toronto, Noon
Sat., Sept. 5: York University, 8 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 6: University of Guelph, 8 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 7: Sheridan College, 11 a.m.

GoMocs.com will chronicle the trip throughout the weekend. Scores will posted in the scrolling marquee at the top of the home page, while each day will include a blog-like entry featuring Mocs student-athletes.

QUICK FACTS:

University of Toronto
http://www.varsityblues.ca/index.aspx?skip=true
Nickname: Varsity Blues
Enrollment: 50,159 (full-time/includes three campuses)
2008-09 Record: 16-8

York University
http://www.yorku.ca/sprtyork/interuniversity_sport/teams/index.htm
Nickname: Lions
Enrollment: 45,890
2008-09 Record: 8-16

University of Guelph
http://www.athletics.uoguelph.ca/
Nickname: Gryphones
Enrollment: 18,616
2008-09 Record: 10-12

Sheridan College Institute of Technology
http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/services/athletics/
Nickname: Bruins
Enrollment: 50,000 (two campuses)
2008-09 Record: 24-8

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UTC’s Shulman suspends senior from basketball team

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball coach John Shulman has suspended senior forward Ty Patterson for academic reasons.

Patterson will not travel with the Mocs on an exhibition trip to Canada this weekend or any road games during the fall.

Shulman declined to give the exact nature of Patterson’s situation.

“Some people don’t handle success very well,” Shulman said. “Ty is paying a steep price that goes beyond missing this trip and eight games.”

See Saturday’s Times Free Press for more UTC basketball coverage.

Canada Basketball is starting to get some coverage however still no one in Puerto Rico with the team to our knowledge.


Canada still alive - barely - in world berth bid

PHOTO: Canada's Aaron Doornekamp drives for a dunk during their FIBA Americas Championship quarterfinals basketball game against Panama in San Juan, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. Canada won 97-65.

Doug Smith
SPORTS REPORTER

Canada has given itself the only thing it asked at the FIBA Americas world basketball qualifier: A chance.

By drubbing Panama 97-65 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, yesterday afternoon, the Canadians may now be able to earn a berth in next year's world championships by beating the Dominican Republic in the final game of their quarter-final round tonight.

However, a win is mandatory and may still not be enough. If Uruguay can upset Argentina, a Canadian win would set up a three-way tie for the fourth and final worlds berth, leaving the outcome in the hands of FIBA's points-differential tiebreaker.

But considering Canada had lost four straight heading into yesterday's game, even having a chance is good enough for them.

"There's really nothing to be nervous about," head coach Leo Rautins said on a conference call. "If you lose to a better team, you lose to a better team. Just don't put yourself in a position to beat yourself."

The Dominicans are led by a trio of NBA regulars, former Raptor and current Detroit Piston Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks and Francisco Garcia of the Sacramento Kings.

The last time Canada qualified for a world championship was in 2001 and it finished 13th among 16 teams a year later in Indianapolis.

That was the last significant senior tournament Canada has participated in.

Missing out on next year's tournament in Turkey would be a blow to a resurgent program that's seen the under-19 team finish seventh in the world this summer and the under-17 team qualify for its inaugural world championships next year.

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Canada talking Turkey: Underdog hoopsters one win away from booking trip to 2010 worlds

By STEVE BUFFERY, SUN MEDIA

With Tropical Storm Erika ready to soak the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, the Canadian men's basketball team can only wait out the storm and then try to rain on the Dominican Republic's parade today.

Despite being written off numerous times this week at the FIBA Americas championship, being held in San Juan, Team Canada is one win away for next summer's world championships in Turkey.

Canada came through with a one-sided 97-65 victory over Panama yesterday to improve its quarterfinal record to 2-4.

Due to point differential, the bottom line is that Canada needs to defeat the favoured Dominican team.

A win today would be a coup for head coach Leo Rautins and his underdog team.

"I think our guys are feeling pretty good about themselves right now," Rautins said in a conference call.

Rautins' son, Andy Rautins of Syracuse, N.Y., led all players with 23 points, including 5-for-7 shooting from three- point range.

Carl English of Patrick's Cove, Nfld., followed with 16 points in 21 minutes. Peterborough's Jesse Young added 14 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Coach Rautins said that his team's hard-fought 68-59 loss to the tournament's elite side, Brazil, on Wednesday, actually did wonders for the team heading into yesterday's game against Panama.

"I said (before the Brazil game), win or lose, let's get our swagger back," said Rautins, whose future as head coach depends largely on how the team plays at this tournament.

The Canadian team hit a low point earlier in the tournament when it lost a close game to Uruguay, one of the three clubs left fighting for the fourth-place spot.

But since then, the Canucks have rebounded with some strong efforts.

"It's not often in life you get a second chance. But we have an opportunity now that could have slipped away with our loss to Uruguay," Rautins said. "So we've got nothing to be nervous about (against the Dominican Republic). I just told our guys to remember that feeling after the Uruguay game and don't ever leave a game feeling like that again."

The Dominican team features NBAers Al Horford, Francisco Garcia and former Raptors forward Charlie Villanueva.

How Canada defends the jump-happy Charlie V will go a long way to determining today's outcome.

Rautins' squad is without, as usual, most of Canada's top players, including NBA all-star point guard Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and centre Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Rautins banished Dalembert from the national team during last summer's Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens when the Haitian-born centre continually expressed indifference to his commitment to the team.

STEVE.BUFFERY@SUNMEDIA.CA

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Canada keeps worlds hopes alive

PHOTO: Joel Anthony, right, ties up Panama's Jose Lloreda during their FIBA Americas Championship quarter-final basketball game on Thursday.

After four straight losses, Rautins scores 23 points in 97-65 triumph over Panama.

Canada’s men’s basketball team feels it’s been given a second chance — one the players vow they won’t let slip away.

The Canadians defeated Panama 97-65 at the FIBA Americas tournament Thursday to remain in the running for a berth in next year’s world basketball championships in Turkey.

The Canadians face the Dominican Republic in a crucial game Friday, the final matchup of their quarter-final round. A win over the Dominicans, combined with an Uruguay loss to Argentina, would give Canada a spot in the 2010 world championships.

Canada’s hopes looked slim earlier in the tournament after an upset loss to Uruguay, and Canadian coach Leo Rautins said his team has learned from that game.

“I told the guys today, it’s not often in life you get a second chance and we had an opportunity that could have slipped away losing to Uruguay, but because of the way everything played out, we have a second chance,” said Rautins.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about, just remember that feeling you had after the Uruguay game, remember how it felt when you felt when you said ’jeez, maybe if we’d done a little bit more here or came out a little be more aggressive’. . . don’t ever leave a game feeling like that.”

Andy Rautins of Syracuse, N.Y., scored 23 points and shot 5-for-7 from three-point range to top the Canadians (2-4). Carl English of Patrick’s Cove, N.L., finished with 16 points and Jesse Young of Peterborough, Ont., added 14. Miami Heat forward Joel Anthony of Montreal had five rebounds to go with eight points in the quarter-final round game.

Danilo Pinnock had 21 points to lead Panama (1-5).

The tournament’s top four finishers move on to the world championships, a tournament Canada’s men’s team hasn’t played at since the 2002 tournament in Indianapolis where the Canadians finished 13th.

The Dominican Republic (3-3) defeated Mexico 86-73 on Thursday to remain in fourth place, one spot ahead of Canada. Brazil did Canada a favour by earning an 82-62 victory over Uruguay (2-4).

Canada dominated from the outset against Panama, ending the first quarter 22-15 and heading into the dressing room up 45-24 at halftime. The Canadians led by as much as 33 points en route to victory, allowing Rautins to spread out the playing time, giving key players a rest.

“So far we’re not even close as far as taxing our key players, we’ve had very good distribution of minutes,” Rautins said. “We’ve had an opportunity to play everybody and keep our legs fresh and hopefully that will be a factor (Friday).”

Brazil (6-0) and Puerto Rico (5-1) have already secured their spots for Turkey. The Puerto Ricans suffered their first loss of the tournament Thursday, dropping an 80-78 decision to Argentina (5-1).

Win and they're in... lose and they are done. Most players and coaches would love to have things work out that way and athletes prepare for years for these types of situations. Canada vs. Dominican Republic, with the winner moving on to the semi-final round of the FIBA Americas championship but more importantly the winner earns a spot in Turkey for next summer's FIBA 2010 World Basketball championships.

Although Canada's coaching staff has shortened the bench during important games against the better teams in the tournament (Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil), relative to the Dominican roster, Canada has much more depth, especially with the emergence of 6'0" Tyler Kepkay, in his second summer with the National program. As the tournament progressed, Kepkay has not only done a reasonable job running the offense from the point, but the staff had him coming off screens and he was very effective as a scorer in spurts in both the Argentina and Brazil games. This allowed Canada to go basically nine deep in those tougher games (Anderson, English, Famutimi, Kendall, Anthony, Young, Rautins, Kepkay and Doornekamp). Also, 6'7" Jermaine Bucknor started a couple of games for Canada earlier in the tournament so he is an experienced tenth man.

The Dominican Republic depends almost exclusively on the ability of their three mid-to-upper echelon NBA players in 6'10" Charlie Villenueva, 6'9" Al Horford and 6'7" Fransisco Garcia. Garcia missed today's game against Mexico however DR still won by 20. Villenueva, Horford, Garcia and 6'2" guard Luis Flores all have averaged 30 or more minutes per game and only foul trouble in some games kept their minutes down. There is a big drop off in talent after that with only 6'7" forward Jack Martinez (8.4 ppg/6.7 rpg/22 mpg) scoring near double figures during the tournament. There are no apparent reasons why Garcia should not be ready for the biggest game in Dominican Republic basketball in over 3 decades.

Two days ago, all seemed bleak for DR as they trailed all afternoon against Uruguay. However, as a Dominican newspaper put it,

DR "pulled itself from beneath a truck” to keep its hopes alive in the world basketball championship, after a 31 year hiatus. After falling behind for 39 minutes and 10 seconds, Francisco Garcia stole a ball and scored the basket to put the Dominican team ahead 76-74. Then Uruguay stumbled as Luis Flores was fouled and scored on both free throws. The South Americans again fouled, this time Al Horford, who also hit both free throws, for the 80-74 final.

DR has not shown themselves to be a very detailed offensively or defensively and basically rely on Garcia and Villenueva to create for themselves and others. Horford, who will be a nice matchup for Canada's Joel Anthony, in these games has been a rebounder, defender with limited "go-to" value offensively. Canada's 6'5" Carl English has played arguably his best basketball in big situations ever for Canada during the past two days.

With Canada's depth and the confidence taken from staying with Brazil for the majority of Wednesday's loss followed by the trouncing today of Panama, this could be a very interesting game and one in which the Canadians matchup very well, especially in a one-game-winner-takes-all scenario. How Canada defends the Big 2 and keeps Horford off the offensive glass plus how well English can create will likely be telling factors tomorrow.

Unfortunately for Canadian viewers, the SCORE, which otherwise has done an outstanding job covering Team Canada during this tournament, has decided to not show this game LIVE! at 6 PM choosing to air it via tape delay at 10 PM tomorrow. The game is available via internet on FIBA TV.

Release breaks down today's victory and attempts to set some context to the qualifying/top four situation. Unfortunately, as far as I can interpret it, there is a mistake in the release as follows:

Canada’s chances for a World Championship berth are still alive, but do not rest solely on the team’s performance tomorrow. They will need some help from Uruguay, a team that has two games remaining. If Uruguay wins both matches against Brazil today and Argentina tomorrow, then the Canadians are out of the tournament. If Uruguay loses both games, then Canada advances to both the semifinals and the World Championships. However, if they split the games, Team Canada will have to beat the Dominican Republic by five points in order to advance.

Unless I'm missing something, Canada is currently 2-4 in this round. Dominican Republic, which just defeated Mexico today, is 3-3. Uruguay, after getting hammered 82-62 by Brazil today, is also 2-4. If DR defeats Canada tomorrow, DR advances no matter what Uruguay does. If Canada defeats DR and Uruguay defeats Argentina, then 3 teams are 3-4 and the tiebreaker rules among 3 teams go into effect. Uruguay defeated Canada by 2; DR defeated Uruguay by 6, so Canada must defeat DR by 4 or more. If Canada wins by 4 tomorrow, then the point differential among the 3 teams is Canada +2, DR +2, Uruguay -4. I assume Canada would then get the spot because they defeated DR head-to-head. I trust this makes sense. But in no way does Canada automatically qualify if Uruguay loses both games - they still must defeat Dominican Republic and by at least 4 points or preferably more.

TEAM CANADA STILL ALIVE AFTER WIN OVER PANAMA AT FIBA AMERICAS

(San Juan, Puerto Rico) Canada’s quest to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship continues after today’s commanding win over Panama 97-65 in the Quarterfinal round of the FIBA Americas Championship.

“I felt that we gained a lot of confidence yesterday against Brazil and we just brought that intensity that we needed to play at each end of the floor,” said Leo Rautins, Head Coach for the Senior Men’s National Team. “The nice thing about today’s game is that everybody played, everybody contributed so our legs are fresh and hopefully we are in a good position tomorrow. “

Andy Rautins (Syracuse, NY) led all players with 23 points, including 5-7 from three point range. Carl English (Patrick’s Cove, NL) followed for Canada with 16 points in 21 minutes. Team captain Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ont.) added 14 points including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Olu Famutimi (Toronto, Ont.) contributed 10. Joel Anthony was the team’s top rebounder, collecting five boards in the game.

The Canadians controlled the game in all areas particularly shooting, where Canada was virtually perfect from the free throw line, making 23-24 baskets. Panama hit 15-19 from the charity stripe. But it was Canada’s three-point shooting that expanded the gap, as the red and white shot 44 per cent versus 23 per cent for Panama. Team Canada played an aggressive game on both ends of the floor, gathering 14 steals as Panama struggled with 20 turnovers.

The Panamanians jumped to an early lead but Canada made a 12-2 run in the final minutes, including 10 points by English to close the first quarter up seven (22-15).

In the second quarter Canada continued sharp from long distance led by English and Jermaine Bucknor (Edmonton, Alta.) who added eight points to give Canada a substantial 19 point lead at the half (45-24).

The Canadians continued the third period with its intense team ball strategy that worked so well in the first half as the red and white powered by Panama. Team Canada dominated in all aspects in the second half, especially in the paint where Young demonstrated why he is called “a warrior” by his coach.

Leading by as many as 33 points, Canada ran away with the win and regained some control of its destiny. With this win the team now has a record of 2-4. The last game of the Quarterfinals takes place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET against the Dominican Republic (3-3). Tomorrow’s game will be replayed on The Score and Raptors NBA TV 10 p.m. ET. Fans can also see the game live on the internet at www.fibatv.com.

Canada’s chances for a World Championship berth are still alive, but do not rest solely on the team’s performance tomorrow. They will need some help from Uruguay, a team that has two games remaining. If Uruguay wins both matches against Brazil today and Argentina tomorrow, then the Canadians are out of the tournament. If Uruguay loses both games, then Canada advances to both the semifinals and the World Championships. However, if they split the games, Team Canada will have to beat the Dominican Republic by five points in order to advance.

Rautins knows the pressure that rests with the upcoming Dominican game and what his team must focus on to prepare tomorrow.

"Dominican Republic is certainly one of the most talented teams in this tournament. The have size, quickness, and players that can shoot. Like every game here, it’s going to be a very difficult match, and we’ll have to be very focused and play with confidence."

For complete box scores, standings and schedule visit the official tournament website for the FIBA Americas Championship (link in right hand corner of this site).

Neate's article appeared in this morning's Ottawa Sun. As long-time readers know, Neate has been a strong supporter of this site and CIS sports in general, primarily via his creation The CIS Blog.

St. John's game "great opportunity" for Carleton Ravens

Dave Smart believes the St. John’s Red Storm is on par with any U.S. college basketball team which has come to the capital in recent times.

That is no faint praise from the Carleton Ravens coach. Area hoops fans have been treated to the Louisville Cardinals, Villanova Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks, each of whom were either just removed or not far off from the NCAA Final Four.

St. John’s, which boasts much-hyped freshman guard Omari Lawrence, will play twice in the capital Sunday: At the Ravens’ Nest for a 1 p.m. game vs. Carleton, then across town for an 8:30 p.m. tipoff at Montpetit Hall vs. the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

“Villanova is probably the best team which has ever come here, but St. John’s is right up there,” says Smart, whose Ravens won their sixth CIS title in seven seasons in March. “Kansas (which visited in 2008) had the name recognition, but it had lost a couple guys. Louisville was missing a couple guys when it came here (in ’06).

“I think this game will be great opportunity for our guys to play a team that will be ranked in the Top 25. I talked to the Villanova guys. They believe St. John’s is a top-three team in the Big East.”

St. John’s has retained most of its scoring and rebounding from last season, including 6-foot-7 forward Anthony Mason Jr., whose dad and namesake was one of the NBA’s most feared defenders in the 1990s. Lawrence, a 6-foot-4 combo guard, is also a potential program-maker.

As much fun as it to watch a team of that echelon, it’s even more fun to play them, says Carleton forward Kevin McCleery.

“The Big East teams bring a kind of athleticism and pure talent we don’t see in our league,” the fifth-year post player says. “It’s not that they execute any better, but it is just amazing to see how competitive these teams are, how hard they all play, up and down their entire bench.

“Your first time playing these teams, it’s exciting, ‘wow, I’ve seen these guys on TV during March Madness. Now it’s more like, ‘I want to beat these guys.’ ”

Last Labour Day weekend, Carleton lost a one-point thriller to Kansas.

McCleery notes the Ravens “lost a lot of leadership all at once” when all-Canadians Aaron Doornekamp and Stu Turnbull and CIS defensive player of the year Rob Saunders graduated. McCleery, point guard Mike Kenny and swingman Cole Hobin are expected to pick up the slack.

“I think we’re a very talented team and a very talented dangerous team — one that scares both coaches,” Smart says.

“I know I’ve been spoiled over the last seven years. There wasn’t a whole deal of discrepancy between our best and our worst. Right now, it’s all about squeezing that gap.”

So playing St. John’s is something of a trial by fire.

“It’s really a no-lose situation,” Smart says. “If we crash and burn, I don’t think these kids are quitters.”

6'6" rising junior Rob Thomas, who visits Montreal and Ottawa with the St. John's Red Storm this coming weekend, appears to have had quite the set of challenges in his pursuit of a college basketball career and university degree. As ESPN's Chris Broussard explores, the native of the Bronx has not one, not two but three significant barriers to success, which he appears to be in the process of conquering. (Note article is cut given that I don't have an espn account).


For Thomas, home is where the hoop is: The life of St. John's forward Rob Thomas is finally coming into focus
This story appears in the September 7 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

Rob Thomas shouldn't be here.

He shouldn't be running full-court -- foiling one defender with a deft crossover and another with a wickedly awkward, no-look, over-the-shoulder layup, in a summer scrimmage at St. John's. Any number of places would be a more logical destination than a college campus, his college campus.

Like the graveyard, because at 11 he was sleeping on park benches and in subway stations, fighting off older kids, on one occasion even having a gun jammed in his face. Or jail, because at 15 he was a truant who helped to support his family by selling weed on the street. Or the playground, because the guy couldn't read so much as a birthday card the day he turned 18, putting his future somewhere other than on the hardwood. Or the sideline, at best, because doctors thought he might not play high-level ball again after he tore up his knee.

"I don't think anyone in college basketball has been through so much," says St. John's strength and conditioning coach Pat Dixon. "Maybe they have a learning disability or had a tough upbringing or serious injury. But all three? No one."

To read more about Rob Thomas, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Several mentions of this weekend's trip to Canada and talk about what St. John's needs to do to return to the glory years.

Red Storm hopes trip is start of something big

The attempt by St. John's to climb back to relevance and respect begins this weekend in Canada.

If the Red Storm can find itself becoming an aggressive, trapping defensive team, as sixth-year coach Norm Roberts wishes, the quest to finish in the single digits in the Big East standings might not be so far-fetched. Since he arrived to pick over the pieces left behind in the post-Mike Jarvis era, Roberts has never been this effusive with praise of his team.

The shadow of NCAA probation and a dearth of big-time talent plagued Roberts early in his tenure. The Red Storm finished under .500 in all but one of the five seasons, although they did earn a postseason berth last season, losing to Richmond in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational despite having a 16-17 record when the invite arrived.

In five seasons under Norm Roberts, the Red Storm is just 26-58 in Big East play.

But the pessimism about the productivity of this program has subsided. There is a sense from the administration down through the staff to the players that the Johnnies legitimately can be a factor in the Big East chase to finish in the top 10 and finally -- yes, finally -- make Madison Square Garden a destination for Red Storm fans in the metropolitan area, not just for fans of other Big East teams that might play on the hallowed court.

"We're going to be a real good team, top 10 in the Big East this year, if not higher," said senior Anthony Mason Jr., who missed 31 of 34 games last season with a torn peroneal tendon in his right foot. "It all starts this weekend."

The Red Storm have been practicing the past week in preparation for the four-game, three-day sojourn to Quebec, where they will play McGill and the University of Quebec on Saturday in Montreal and then Carleton University and the University of Ottawa on Sunday in a pair of back-to-back doubleheaders in Ottawa.

The NCAA membership recently changed the rule regarding Labor Day trips. They are now banned beginning this fall unless a school (such as SJU) had already signed a contract for a tour. St. John's was supposed to go to on a Labor Day trip last year, but the excursion to Cancun was canceled due to Hurricane Gustav.

"The timing of getting the extra practice time and the games couldn't be better," said St. John's athletic director Chris Monasch. "A lot of things are falling in line. We had young teams in the past, but now we've got a veteran team with the parts in place. There are high expectations for this year."

Yes, St. John's expects to finish in the top 10 in the Big East -- and that's not a crazy concept. The 16-team league isn't as top-seed-loaded as it was a year ago with Connecticut, Louisville and Pitt. But the depth remains strong from 1 to 14, so if St. John's is to move up from finishing in the bottom six (6-12 for 13th last season), someone will have to fall.

That means a team out of the group of Villanova, Georgetown, West Virginia, Syracuse, Louisville, Connecticut, Pitt, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Seton Hall and Marquette isn't finishing in the top nine if St. John's is sliding into that spot. Projecting Providence, South Florida, Rutgers and DePaul in the bottom four, meanwhile, isn't a reach.

"It's been a hard climb," Roberts said. "Nobody knows how hard. And every time we felt like we could climb, we've had some things we've had to recover from."

The reason there is measured optimism? The Red Storm brought in four newcomers, which include two junior transfers who give Roberts his most experienced team since he arrived in Queens. The team has six returnees with significant starting experience, as 97.2 percent of the scoring and 95.1 percent of the rebounding return to a team that won 16 games and registered the school's first Big East tournament victory since 2003.

Also back and healthy are Mason Jr., Malik Boothe (out nine games with a torn tendon in his thumb) and Justin Burrell (played with a face mask after breaking a facial bone in December).

If the Red Storm were to finish in the top nine -- or, gulp, seventh or eighth -- that presumably means they would automatically be in the NCAA tournament discussion out of the Big East. It's a little early for that kind of talk, though. Roberts knows it. Mason knows it. Everyone knows it.

Still, the approach to this weekend has remained intense.

"I really want to get out of this trip to play aggressive defensively, to trap ball screens, to rotate and press all over the place," Roberts said. "I haven't been able to do that in the past because we haven't been as athletic or deep. We've got a great opportunity to do those things now."

Roberts said the Big East window is open for the Red Storm. The league was gutted of a number of its star players by the NBA draft. There is actual hope that a team from the bottom six can climb this season.

"It's our turn to step up," Roberts said. "No game will be easy, but with our depth and experience, this is the year we've been pointing to. We want to make something happen."

An early-season trip to Duke will be a huge test for Anthony Mason Jr. and the Johnnies.

No one is pressing for a renaissance in Queens more than Mason Jr., who scored 24 points in his second game of last season against Cornell and 12 against BC before the season-ending injury. The Memphis, Tenn., native won an appeal to get a fourth year of eligibility back in his fifth year in school.

"I can't wait," said Mason Jr., whose father Anthony Mason was a high school teammate of Roberts, and later a New York Knicks fan favorite. "I haven't played in a year. I love practice now. That's how much I've missed it. This is my last year. I think I want it more than a lot of people. I want [Madison Square Garden] to be rocking and for everyone to say St. John's this and St. John's that. This is our city. It ain't been seeming like our city, but we can make noise and bring it back."

Monasch is a bit more realistic with the Garden. He wants MSG to be a house teams fear, but when it's near capacity. St. John's has averaged under 6,000 fans at home the past two seasons and in three of the past four.

The first indication the program had drifted from relevance in the Big Apple came last year, when the New York-centric NIT Season Tip-Off (even under NCAA control) sent St. John's to Boston College for opening-round games instead of hosting the games in Queens. SJU lost to the Eagles and didn't qualify for the Thanksgiving week semifinals.

The next slap came in the promotion of the SEC-Big East Invitational. On Dec. 9, St. John's will host Georgia; the game will be the clear undercard on the Red Storm's own home court. Following that game will be a showdown between Kentucky and Connecticut.

"Yeah, we got downgraded," Mason Jr. said. "It's all about Cal [Kentucky head coach John Calipari], Kentucky and Connecticut. People want them. They're not talking about the St. John's game."

The school will once again play a limited number of games at MSG this season. According to Monasch, the Red Storm plays Georgia, the two-game Holiday Festival just before Christmas and likely six of nine Big East home games there. The school played nine regular-season games at MSG last season, and it appears it'll be the same amount this season.

"Our goal is to play as many games at the Garden as possible, but with some non-league games and a game or two in the Big East on campus for those fans and because we made a financial commitment to our arena," said Monasch, referring to the ongoing renovation of the on-campus Carnesecca Arena.

"It makes sense to have some of those games in Queens. But at the end of the day, once we get the program back to the level with the ability to generate revenue [at MSG], then there is more upside for the whole athletic department. The TV people like us playing there, and so does the Big East. But it has been a business decision to play on campus."

But the interest has to exceed Carnesecca, driving the demand to MSG.

How can the Red Storm make itself matter to New Yorkers when the Big East tournament arrives in March? Winning early-season games would help. Roberts said a Dec. 5 game at Duke and the Georgia game at home four days later could be the indicators of what is to come.

"That will be a huge situation for us," Roberts said, "to see if we can win those games and get some notoriety and get everybody excited."

The scores from Canada won't matter. How the Red Storm plays, whether or not they have issues scoring (see: 10 games last season scoring 60 or fewer points) and if they can be a crazed defensive team that is a pest to play will be the real measuring sticks for Roberts over the next six weeks.

"A lot of people are going to look at this tournament to see how this season will go," Mason Jr. said of the four games in Canada. "People may want to know, 'What are they doing up there and how did they handle their business?' Well, defense is going to be our key. We've got length, tall guys, quick guys, athletic guys where we can get into the passing lanes. We'll be very defensive-minded. People won't want to play us because of our defense."

The junior class should dominate this squad and this weekend with classmates Paris Horne, D.J. Kennedy, Dwight Hardy, Sean Evans, Rob Thomas, Dele Coker, Justin Burrell and Justin Brownlee all having plenty of experience.

Monasch said Roberts could have gone for a quick fix with four-year transfers and junior college transfers when he arrived. But, he said, "We wanted Norm to do it the right way, and he's done it that way." Roberts has a five-year contract that has a rollover every year, which means every year is essentially the start of a new five-year deal. That doesn't mean there won't be some pressure this season if the Red Storm struggle.

Monasch said the games like Duke, Georgia and the Philly Hoop Group Classic are all critical, but how the Storm performs over an 18-game Big East schedule will ultimately be the barometer for how this team is perceived and whether it gets an NCAA bid.

"We hope to create excitement, but how we do in the Big East will determine that," Monasch said.

"[Roberts] has held up good with a straight face," Mason Jr. said. "He doesn't hold his head down. He keeps it positive and keeps us confident. He keeps pushing us. He's held up, especially after a lot of [job security] stuff was said about him and this team. We've all handled it good, and that's why we're doing it for him, too."


This article by Katz is a couple of days old but sheds light on the ability of NCAA teams to travel abroad during any time of the year...

Summer trips abroad should be left alone

The Pac-10 was looking at ways to contain costs and somehow decided that foreign tours ought to be trimmed across the whole NCAA.

The NCAA had already passed legislation that prevents Labor Day trips outside the United States beginning this fall (unless a team already had a signed contract for a trip). But to cut out all travel over the summer -- even after summer school -- for all sports?

The Pac-10 office said former commissioner Tom Hansen and former Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny were the two officials who were pushing the bill. But both are now retired, meaning that the amendment -- 13.11.1.3 -- is going through the legislative cycle without a lobbying effort. Still, legislation with a rationale that "saving the costs of such tours seems to be logical in difficult economic times'' might catch the eye of administrators looking to trim any possible fat.

That's the danger here. These trips aren't an elite opportunity. IUPUI and Bethune Cookman went to Costa Rica this summer. Vanderbilt went to Australia, after Commodores coach Kevin Stallings filled the financial void by paying for the trip when the university could not afford the bill. Butler went to Italy. Pitt is planning to go to Ireland next summer. A year ago, Notre Dame went back to its roots with a tour of Ireland.

As you can see, there is a broad spectrum of schools here with varying budgets. Raising the money for these trips shouldn't be legislated. Foreign trips can only be taken once every four years, so it's not like this is a yearly budget issue. And since newcomers can't go on the summer trip, a lot of coaches choose to stay home even when they have the opportunity to go overseas.

The rationale starts off with, "While visiting foreign nations is a part of the learning experience, foreign tours are viewed by many institutions as an additional opportunity to get a head start on the ensuing season." Is this true? Yes. A team gets 10 practices to use before a trip. But let's be honest here. Did Notre Dame get an advantage in going to Ireland that it benefited from in March? No. The Irish flamed out and didn't make the tournament. So it's hard to make some argument that by going on a trip overseas, suddenly that school will be light-years ahead of the rest.

That argument of the practice and head start might fly with squeezing in a three-day jaunt to Canada or the Bahamas over Labor Day. But the trips for 10 to 14 days overseas in August aren't the same. Vanderbilt assistant Brad Frederick said the trips overseas are the first time a number of the players have been out of the country. Frederick said he has talked to a number of coaches both in men's basketball and other sports who said they raise the money.

Butler coach Brad Stevens isn't in favor of any legislation that would take away a chance for his team to experience foreign countries.

To think these are just junkets is short-sighted. Butler coach Brad Stevens offered even more insight into the overall experience.

"Travel abroad is a terrific educational experience,'' said Stevens, who played at DePauw and went to Europe during his freshman season. "I remember being in awe of Paris. To this day, one of my goals is to take my family over there when my kids are older, so that they can get the privilege of seeing firsthand the architecture, the history, the language and the culture.''

Going overseas during college, most of the time for a semester, is commonplace for the mainstream student body. It doesn't matter the level of institution. There are opportunities for students to go all over the globe.

"If I wasn't a basketball player, I would have loved to do a semester abroad,'' Stevens said. "However, because the season spans both semesters, that isn't an option, so the summer tour at least gives our players a chance to briefly experience a new country."

Going overseas for a few games and sight-seeing can be beneficial if they want to play professionally but aren't NBA-level. Familiarizing them with the foreign game, albeit for only a few games, is also worthwhile.

This summer, IUPUI's Ron Hunter took his team to Costa Rica at the same time as Bethune Cookman and Bowling Green. Hunter gave away 2,000 shoes in his continued effort to put shoes on shoeless children around the globe.

"I just came back from the NABC board and we decided to be against this legislation,'' Hunter said. "I don't care what happens in the games. The experience they had being in another country and delivering shoes. We don't have to mandate to do that, but there should be an educational and humanitarian aspect."

Hunter isn't worried about it because he doesn't think the legislation has legs.

"I don't think it's going anywhere, but now that we've drawn attention to it, let's not just have just 10 days of practice and play. Let's do something to make the country better. If you want to give away shoes then do it -- find something to do."

Hunter said his players enjoyed the distribution of the shoes more than the games.

"I would have been devastated if something like that happens,'' Hunter said of the legislation. "None of my kids could afford that trip, and none of the kids at Bethune Cookman could afford to do that. Let's leave these countries with them thinking that American student-athletes are terrific and made [their] country better."

The legislation will work its way through the membership and come up for a vote sometime during the 2009-10 legislative calendar. Voting out foreign tours without an exception over the summer would make no sense. The cost-cutting is minimal and isn't across the board for every school. There are plenty of other areas where fat can be trimmed out of a budget that each individual school can address.

Legislating budget control when all budgets aren't equal doesn't equate. And judging by the names of the schools going on the trips, it's obvious that some schools value taking the trip, even if they are in a lower level of Division I.

One of the more consistent aspects of Canada's overall game throughout the tournament has been their ability to stop teams in the quarter court. In yesterday's loss to Brazil, it took a superlative offensive effort from a proven NBA scorer in Leandro Barbosa to thrwart Canada's bid to knock the Brazilians from the ranks of the undefeated - however even then the game was played in the 60's. In today's must-win match against Panama, the Canadian "d" shone once again and 6'5" Carl English had his best overall offensive game of the tournament to lift the Canadians to an easy 97-65 victory in a match that started 1/2 hour earlier than originally planned due to some expected inclement weather approaching the island of Puerto Rico.

Today Canada completely locked up the Panamanian offense, holding star Dannilo Pinnock and friends to only 24 first half point as Canada exploded to a 21 point halftime lead and then the route was on early in the third as the boys had some fun in the open court, throwing and finishing several acrobatic loops to 6'5" Olu Famutimi. Canada finished the game with all subs on the floor including the first action of the tournament for 6'4" Ryan Bell, who appears healthy again after battling a quad problem for the first part of the tourney.

Canada found the going much easier offensively, with numerous open looks in transition and easy layups for the bigs especially 6'9" Joel Anthony who continually beat his checks down the floor against a Panama team that was done mentally and physically early in this contest.

Canada now has their fate in their own hands going into their final game of this round against the Dominican Republic (currently playing Mexico). With Uruguay meeting Brazil later today, Canada, with a victory over Dominican (assuming Brazil defeats Uruguay later today), will claim the fourth and final qualifying spot. If Uruguay were to upset Brazil (as long as DR defeats Mexico), there would be a three way tie if Canada wins tomorrow (as long as Uruguay loses to Argy). Regardless, if Canada wins by more than 5 tomorrow, they should be in good shape.

STANDINGS (with games remaining in brackets for teams still in contention):
1. Puerto Rico 5/0
2. Brazil 5/0
3. Argentina 4/1
4. Dominican Republic 2/3 (Mexico, Canada)
5. Uruguay 2/3 (Brazil, Argentina)
6. Canada 2/4 (Dominican Republic)
7. Panama 1/5 (Canada)
8. Mexico 0/5

This is newsworthy since UNBC has applied to become a member of Canada West and has recently hosted CCAA championships. Former Brandon interim coach Mike Raimbault is the head men's basketball coach at UNBC.

UNBC Dumps Sports Director

Len McNamara was fired Wednesday as UNBC’s athletics and recreation co-ordinator. McNamara said he could not comment on his dismissal until he had received legal counsel. McNamara was hired nine years ago as UNBC’s athletics director, after a long association as general manager and coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings.

“Len is not with UNBC, pursuing other opportunities, and other than that there’s not much I can add,” said UNBC external vice-president Rob Van Adrichem.
“The coaches have been informed and we’re working with them and other people in the athletic community to come up with something that will be in the best long-term interests of athletics.”

Although they had yet to speak to McNamara personally, UNBC basketball coaches Loralyn Murdoch and Mike Raimbault were informed of his dismissal Wednesday. Both have been in Terrace this week teaching a basketball camp.

“I heard that (McNamara) won’t be our athletic director anymore but I haven’t heard of any grounds on a firing and I haven’t spoken to Len, so I don’t really have a comment,” said Murdoch, the women’s team head coach.

“He’s been a great ambassador for UNBC athletics and he’s done a lot for our program, for sure. He’s got the utmost respect from me for what he’s done for the women’s basketball program. We’ve moved into a new sports centre, we’ve got a provincial banner, and we’re well on our way to going CIS and Len was a huge part of that. He’s a good guy.”

McNamara was the author of UNBC’s bid to join Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s Canada West Conference. CIS officials who toured the city’s sports facilities in November 2008 commended McNamara for the work he’d put in in preparing the bid and ranked it among the best of several competing bids. In May, CIS officials informed McNamara a vote on whether to accept UNBC as a CIS member would be put off until 2010.

McNamara helped UNBC host the BCCAA women’s basketball in 2007, seven months after the Northern Sport Centre opened, and watched as the Northern Timberwolves used their home court to capture their first championship. In March 2008, UNBC also hosted the men’s Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championship, which involved the T-wolves as host team.

UNBC currently has teams that compete in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association in men’s and women’s basketball, as well as men’s and women’s soccer.

“We don’t have much to go in terms of information but I am aware of the situation and feel sorry for Len,” said Raimbault, hired by McNamara a year ago to head the men’s basketball program.

Van Adrichem said nobody has yet been identified as a possible replacement for McNamara. “There’s some discussion that still needs to happen in terms of what exactly what will be the combination of skills that will be the best in that job,” Van Adrichem said. “That’s going to take place over the next little while but we’re committed to moving quickly on this.”

FIBA AMERICAS: Canada bounced again at hoops qualifier World berth unlikely after fourth straight loss

It's going to take an alarming change of fortune and some help from other countries for Canada to have any shot at qualifying for next year's world basketball championships.

Unable to contain Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, who did pretty much whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, Canada suffered a 68-59 loss to Brazil at the FIBA Americas qualification tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico yesterday afternoon, another setback in its bid to rejoin the world elite of the sport.

Barbosa finished with a tournament-high 31 points for Brazil (5-0) as Canada fell to 1-4 in the quarter-final round of the 10-country tournament. It was Canada's fourth straight loss.

And it now means Canada has to beat Panama today and the Dominican Republic tomorrow – as well as get favourable results in other games involving the Dominican Republic and Uruguay just to get into a tie-breaker situation for the fourth and final spot available for the 2010 worlds in Turkey.

"That's not out of the question, we're approaching it like if we take care of our side of things, we've got a chance to get there," Canada's Aaron Doornekamp said in a conference call.

"We just have to deal with our situation, win both our games."

Canada hasn't competed at a significant senior international event since a 13th place finish at the 2002 worlds, having failed to qualify for both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics or the 2006 world championships.

Barbosa, who went into the game averaging 18.4 points per game, blitzed Canada from all over the court.

He hit eight of 10 field goals, three of six three-pointers and six of seven free throws.

STANDINGS (with games remaining in brackets for teams still in contention):

1. Puerto Rico 5/0
2. Brazil 5/0
3. Argentina 4/1
4. Dominican Republic 2/3 (Mexico, Canada)
5. Uruguay 2/3 (Brazil, Argentina)
6. Canada 1/4 (Panama, Dominican Republic)
7. Panama 1/4 (Canada, Mexico)
8. Mexico 0/5

Despite yesterday's loss, with victories over Panama and Dominican Republic, Canada can squeeze into a three-way tie for fourth place and then a tiebreaker will decide the final qualifier for Turkey (assuming no further upsets it appears Puerto Rico, Brazil and Argentina are in).

I was away from the computer all day but did watch today's game and will have thoughts tomorrow. Here is Canada Basketball's official release:

CANADA LOSES TOUGH BATTLE TO UNDEFEATED BRAZILIAN SQUAD AT FIBA AMERICAS

(San Juan, Puerto Rico) Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team played three strong quarters of high-energy, team basketball, but ultimately Leandro Barbosa and company were just too talented as Brazil took the win 68-59 on day two of the FIBA Americas Championship Quarterfinals.

With this win, Brazil’s record moves to 5-0 as the nation becomes the first team to qualify for the 2010 World Championship. Canada’s record now stands at 1-4, with two games remaining in this round.

“We had a real good effort, said Leo Rautins, head coach of the Senior Men’s National Team. “You look at most of the stats and we took care of business the way that we needed to. Unfortunately, Brazil’s experience and some our mental mistakes down the stretch cost us. But that’s the type of effort we need going forward in the final two games. We stuck to a game plan, had a strong effort defensively, and that’s exactly what we need to finish this out.”

Levon Kendall (Vancouver, BC) was Canada’s top scorer and rebounder with 12 points on 6-10 from the field, and seven boards in 20 minutes. Olu Famutimi added 10 points and five rebounds, while starting centre, Joel Anthony contributed 10 points, four rebounds, and was 4-6 from the free throw line.

Barbosa alone scored 31 points by shooting from 11-16 from the field (3-6, 3 pts) and 6-7 from the free throw line in 37 minutes played. Teammate Marcelo Huertas followed with 10 points while fellow NBAer Anderson Varejao added 8 points, along with Guilherme Giovannoni.

“Barbosa’s a great example of that old saying in the NBA, when your best player is your hardest worker you’re going to have a pretty good team,” added Rautins. “He really sets the tone for Brazil, on both ends of the floor with his attitude. He’s an unbelievable player.”

Canada came out ready to play Brazil from the opening tip, as the red and white managed to take the lead midway through the first 11-9. But Barbosa was a force to be reckoned with on offence as he scored 12 of 13 points for Brazil to tie the game with 2:36 left. Canada was hit with a technical foul with 19 seconds left in the first and Barbosa made three of four free throws to give Brazil the 18-15. Kendall finished the quarter with 10.

In the second, Canada continued with tough defense from Joel Anthony and Jesse Young, but Brazil’s Varejao was a force under the net. Within the first five minutes both teams had already collected nine defensive boards a piece. A fast break by Rautins brought Canada to within two (22-24). While Brazil always had an offensive answer, Canada pushed on offensively with great plays by Tyler Kepkay (Vancouver, B.C.), Aaron Doornekamp (Odessa, Ont.) and a dunk by Anthony to give him five in the game, and bring the score to 33-36 at the half.

“We out rebounded them, turned it over less than them and those were the two big things we wanted to do today,” stated Doornekamp after the game. “We wanted to work them and limit their points off our turnovers. We were right there with the best team in the tournament.”

Brazil started the third with a 10-4 run in the first two minutes with support from Giovannoni, who brought his score up to eight. After making two free throws midway through the period English collected his fourth foul and was forced to sit the rest of the period. Doornekamp hit a three with 2:30 left to bring Canada to within three 45-48. Barbosa answered back on offence collecting his 21st point as the team went on a 7-0 run. Canada battled on as Famutimi hit a big three and followed up with a rebound. A basket by team captain Jesse Young brought Canada to within two 50-52 at the end of the third.

The final quarter opened with Varejao and Barbosa hitting baskets, as Brazil went on 7-2 with seven minutes in the game. Canada had several opportunities in the final minutes to close the gap, but Brazil’s defense made it challenging for the red and white to get in the paint. Canada made some mistakes down the stretch while Brazil showed their offensive power as the bench players also helped to secure the win and a spot at the 2010 Worlds.

“Our youth comes in to play and there were lapses,” admitted Rautins. “We had a solid defensive game, but offensively had a couple of breakdowns and a few missed shots and you just can’t afford that against a team like Brazil. Every possession is critical but that’s part of the learning unfortunately of being the youngest team here. We have to not get frustrated, not get down and continue to play through it.”

Canada’s dreams for qualifying are still alive, but the team will need a little help from the home team Puerto Rico. Canada must win its next two matches against Panama tomorrow and Dominican Republic on Friday. As well, Puerto Rico will need to beat the Dominicans tomorrow night in order for Canada to have a chance to advance in the tournament.

Rautins understands that the next couple of days will be an uphill battle for his team. “Panama’s team is athletic, has experience with some individual players that can light it up and change the game. The Dominican Republic is very, very talented across the board. With bigs like Charlie Villenueva, Al Horford and Fransisco Garcia shooting the three, they’re a talented team. We have to be very disciplined especially on the defensive end.”

Both Team Canada games will be broadcast on television starting with the Panama match tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET live on The Score and replayed at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on RNBA TV. On Friday Canada’s game against the Dominican Republic (tip off 6:30 p.m. ET) will be replayed at 10 p.m. on both The Score and Raptors NBA TV. Fans can also catch the games live on www.fibatv.com.

When asked about the importance of the upcoming games Doornekamp said, “We are not looking past Panama but we have to win both games. We think we have a legitimate shot. If we bring the same effort, I don’t see why we are not in or winning those games.”

After shocking the nation two seasons ago with a program-defining victory in the CIS National semi-final at Ottawa's Scotiabank Place against host and five-time defending champion Carleton (one of the greatest CIS games ever played), the Acadia Axemen were indeed "back" as Nationals contenders. Unfortunately the program had some churn in their coaching situation as Les Berry resigned early in the season and Acadia suffered a quarter-final loss to eventual AUS champion Dalhousie Tigers last season but may have uncovered the next star of their program in the process. Still, opportunity bread success as Stephen Baur, who took over early last season as head coach and led Acadia to the playoffs, had his interim tag removed in May and proceed to re-fill his roster with at least three blue-chip recruits.

In 6'3" sophomore Casey Fox, Acadia may have their next star, especially after his 32 point performance in his first-ever game at the Halifax Metro Center against Dal in the AUS quarter-final loss. Fox went head-to-head with Dal's POY candidate Simon Farine before fouling out with his career high in points. Fox, named AUS Rookie-of-the-Year and CIS All-Rookie team after last season, has consistent shooting range beyond the arc and can create his own shot off the dribble. The slick shooting wing, who spent a season at Lee Academy in Maine after high school in Nova Scotia, became the focus of the Axemen offense as the season progressed and will look to continue to be the orchestrator and finisher.

The Axemen also return their leading scorer from last season, 6'5" Alex Traikov, an all-AUS second team performer now in his 5th year. Taking over major minutes in the post after former AUS all-star Leonil Saintil left the team early last season, Traikov flourished as the feature guy, despite being a bit undersized. Traikov makes up for his lack of size with strength, working well on the glass and around the paint, using his pattened hook to get shots off over bigger guys. Expect Traikov to again log major time up front.

Acadia's 2008 recruiting class yielded a second blue chip recruit who also was named to the all-AUS rookie team in 6'5" Justin Boutilier (Niagara Falls A.N. Myer), who can score in a variety ways. As with Fox, Boutilier finished his freshman season strong, as his numbers rose dramatically into March. Expect Boutilier to continue on the path of an all-AUS contributor.

Off the bench up front is 6'5" Joe Nwabuzor, a two-sport (football & basketball) athlete now in his fifth season who for the first time this summer focused exclusively on basketball and as a result bigger things are forecasted for his game.

Baur had significant losses due to graduation from last season, led by 6'0" Nationals hero Peter Leighton, 6'4" forward Luckern Dieu and 6'3" wing James Burke. All three played key roles in last season's rotation. In addtion, 6'0" Marcel Hyde (Toronto), a freshman last season, has moved on to Algoma University of the CCAA. Baur was more than able to replace these players with one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, highlighted by three five-star-type recruits in: 6'9" Owen Klassen, a power forward from Kingston, ON; 6'4" combination guard Anthony Sears, who scored over 1,100 points as a high school senior (~30 ppg) and a hidden gem in 6'5" French import Jonathan Kamba.

Klassen, who was important enough to Acadia to bring out "We want Owen" t-shirts worn by Acadia fans during his recruiting visits to Wolfville, was heavily courted by several teams in his native province and is a versatile forward who should create matchup problems given his ability to face up and score with his back to the basket. Expect Klassen to immediately push for a starting role.

Sears, a combo guard from New Brunswick, is a tremendous athlete, who is a scorer (over 1,100 points his final year of high school ~30 ppg) but can also run the point. He is also a proven winner, being part of a NB provincial championship in his Grade 11 season. Given Acadia's lack of quality depth at the guard spots, expect Sears to move into the rotation almost immediately.

In Kamba, Acadia gets a great athlete who was a relative unknown prior to last season after arriving from France at Ecole Secondaire Nepisiguit in Bathurst, NB, where he averaged 26 points a game while being named to the North East Atlantic All Star team. Kamba spent several years in the French club programs and in 2004 was named most improved player in the Under-15 French Championships. Described as an extremely skilled slasher who can create for himself and others routinely, Kamba completely dominated New Brunswick Division II high school and his international experience in another of the many reasons why some believe he may be Acadia's best recruit of all.

Two other recruits, Alex McLaughlin and Dustin Poirier will also join the Axemen. McLaughlin is most noted for being the younger brother of SMU star Mark McLaughlin and led Dartmouth High School to Provincial semi-finals, their first trip in over a decade.

With several roster spots available, Baur believes there may be a couple of more recruits arriving on campus in the coming weeks - stay tuned.

As part of their pre-season schedule, Acadia travels to Ontario for the Naismith Classic Oct 17 weekend in Waterloo and also meets RMC and York during the weekend of Oct 31 before beginning league play on Nov 7.

Kamloops lawyer is the judge on the court

It’s game on for Stephen Seibel as soon as he hits the court — be it the hardwood of a basketball GYM or the wood grain THAT LIES BEFORE A JUDGE.

The Kamloops lawyer — who is currently earning his officiating stripes at the FIBA Americas Championship in Puerto Rico — spends the winter officiating men’s and women’s university basketball.

“It is certainly not as physical or emotional as FIBA tournaments, but CIS [Canadian Interuniversity Sport] basketball is an exciting and competitive brand of basketball that prepares me well for FIBA games,” he told KTW.

“However, nothing can prepare you for the speed and skill of international basketball.”

Not even seven years of university ball.

“I suppose the professionalism and advocacy skills [that come with being a lawyer] do assist me in certain situations, especially with coaches during the heat of the battle,” Seibel said.

“That being said, I referee with some excellent refs from all walks of life.”

In addition to officiating, Seibel has also taught the FIBA game — which is played under a set of rules different than those of the NBA and NCAA — to American-born players.

“I have travelled with Canada Basketball to Europe for friendly games and was invited by USA Basketball to referee and provide a clinic to the men’s Olympic team at their training camp in Vegas last summer, culminating in a game against Canada,” he said.

“My son thought it was cool that I was teaching Kobe Bryant and LeBron James the [FIBA] international rules but, to me, they were just two more players.”

Seibel is enjoying his time in Puerto Rico — when he’s not handling the duties of his day job.

“This is my first time in Puerto Rico. It is absolutely beautiful and the people are friendly — except during the games, of course,” he said, noting a rowdy match between the host Puerto Ricans and Brazil as an example.

“The crowd was wild. It reminded me of the old Blazers games at Memorial Arena.

“My wife and kids were in the stands and it’s fortunate they don’t understand Spanish.

“FIBA treats us very well and I am grateful to be staying at a great hotel on the beach. However, thanks to technology and a busy law practice, I am also working as a lawyer during some of the day as my profession comes before my avocation.”

The pressure of the court — the basketball court, that is — can be a lot, but Seibel enjoys it.

“There is a lot of pressure officiating at this level, but I am thankful to be able to assist the athletes and coaches in a sport that has been so good to me,” he said.

“I hope there are some young men and women in high school and college that read this and are inspired to come out and ref next year.”

The FIBA Americas Championship wraps up on Thursday.

In a game that likely sealed Canada's fate in terms of qualifying for 2010 World Championships in Turkey, Argentina made 10 3's and led by as many as 20 in defeating the Canadians 67-51, dropping Canada to 1-3 in quarter-final round. There was some optimism prior to the game after Dominican Republic edged Uruguay, given that Uruguay was a team that had defeated Canada but by halftime, when Canada trailed by 8 and certainly in the third quarter, a quarter which Argentina outscored Canada 20-10, that optimism faded and the result became obvious.

Canada now needs to sweep their remaining three games in this phase of the tournament, beginning tomorrow with undefeated Brazil, the class of tournament thus far. Even then, the Canadians would likely have to rely on a tiebreaker scenario to have any chance of finishing in the Top 4 and the automatic qualifying spots that go with it.

Canada never led in the game that saw them turn the ball over 23 times and shoot only 2-16 (13%) from downtown. Carl English led Canada with 17 points in 31 minutes wile Leonardo Gutierrez led a balanced Argentine attack with 15.

Argentina scored the first six points of the game but then English singlehandidly brought Canada back with a couple of 3's and his best creating off the dribble in the tournament thus far. Canada kept it close and then evened the score at 24 with about 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter. English then turned the ball over which started an 8-0 Argentina run that gave them the lead they would not reliquish. English did his best to help Canada finish the half strong but the teams basically traded baskets to enter halftime with Argy up 36-28.

Argentina then outscored Canada 20-10 in the third quarter to take control as 6'10" Luis Scola, who had a quiet first half, began asserting himself inside with 6 straight points and Argentina began knocking down shots. Canada then went zone and when, after a poor decision by Jermaine Anderson leaving him alone with the ball, Gutierrez dropped in his second consecutive long 3 from the right wing with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the quarter and Argy had a 17 point lead, forcing Canada into a timeout and all but deciding the game for good. Turnovers hurt Canada with at least 4 in the first half of the third quarter, all leading to subsequent Argentine scores.

Canada's zone was inconsistent throughout the tournament characterized by indecision and several missed slides or mistakes leaving the ball alone and today Argy made them pay during key points of the game-deciding third quarter.

The game is being shown on a tape delay basis currently on the SCORE and then again at 7 PM ET on Raptor TV.

ARGENTINA DEFEATS CANADA IN FIBA AMERICAS QUARTER FINALS OPENER

(San Juan, Puerto Rico) Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team struggled offensively as Argentina defeated the red and white 67-51 in the opening match today of the quarter final round at the FIBA Americas Championship.

“Argentina showed that they are one of the top teams and certainly turned things around from a week ago,’ said Leo Rautins, Head Coach for the Senior Men’s National Team. “They played outstanding basketball and are a very smart team.”

Canada however was plagued with turnovers, collecting 23 in the match, while allowing the Argentines to gain 16 steals. Team Canada shot a disappointing 12 per cent on two for 16 from the perimeter compared to 44 per cent for Argentina. Canada battled to gain control on offence, as the Argentine’s led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter.

“Obviously you can’t win a game the way we played today,” added Rautins. “You can’t have 23 turnovers and not execute. We basically beat ourselves and you can’t play basketball that way. We have to find a way to get out of this or it’s not going to be a very fun remaining time here in Puerto Rico.”

Carl English (Patrick’s Cove, NF) was Canada’s top scorer and rebounder with 17 points and six boards. Team Captain Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ont.) followed with 13 points and four rebounds.

Despite his top scoring status, English was disappointed in his own performance.

“The teams are playing very well so we have to come out a change the way we start more like Mexico. I think I personally have to do a better job in getting my teammates involved and not turn over the ball as much.”

Argentina’s Luis Scola had a great game and a good supporting cast that wreaked havoc on Canada’s defence. Leo Gutierrez scored a game-high 15 points, including five for seven from the three point line. Federico Kammerichs added 13 and seven rebounds, while Scola netted 12 points and nine boards.

Argentina started the game with two straight three pointers, one by Kammerichs and another by Paolo Quinteros with 7:42 left. English responded with a three of his own followed by two baskets to make it 7-9 with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. The period ended with Argentina up by two points, 15-13.

In the second quarter Canada came back and tied it at 24 after a basket by Tyler Kepkay (Vancouver, BC), who completed a 7-0 run midway through the period. But Argentina’s Gutierrez hit two straight three pointers to give his team a 30-24 lead. Young and English each hit baskets to bring Canada to 28, but Argentina managed to expand the lead to eight at the half (36-28).

Canada had no answer for Gutierrez who drained three perimeter shots in the third quarter alone. Scola also make his mark scoring six points in two minutes, midway through the period. Missed baskets and turnovers resulted in Canada gaining only 10 points at the end of three, while Argentina netted 20.

The Canadians strived to get back in the game, and while the team outscored Argentina in the fourth quarter 13-11, the deficit was just too great. With this win Argentina stands at 3-1, while Canada drops to 1-3.

Up next for Canada is a match against an undefeated Brazilian team (3-0) tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. (Live and 10 p.m. on The Score / 4 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. RNBA TV).

When asked about the tomorrow’s game, English stated, “As a team we just have to get hungry and believe. I think our confidence is low and we just have to get out there and run.”

The FIBA Americas Championship quarter-finals run until Friday, with the top four teams at the tournament advancing to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

“Its mathematics now,” commented Rautins on Canada’s chances to qualify for the Worlds. “If you don’t win you don’t go.”

We have yet to connect with the coaching staff at Memorial U. however according to this news item in early October the Seahawks will participate in tournament in Miramichi, NB (about 150 km. north of Moncton) with three college teams.

College Hoops tourney slated

MIRAMICHI, NB - The Tommies Minor Basketball Association will host an eight-team university basketball tournament in Miramichi Oct. 2-4.

The inaugural University Hoops Showcase on the River will be played at Miramichi Valley High School. Four men's and four women's university teams will participate in the pre-season round robin tournament.

The men's teams will include the Memorial Sea-Hawks of Atlantic University Sport and the Crandall (formerly Atlantic Baptist University) Blue Tide, St. Thomas Tommies and Holland College Hurricanes of the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association.

Women's teams will include the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, University of Prince Edward Island Panthers and Dalhousie Tigers of the AUS and St. Thomas of the ACAA.

Tournament passes are on sale in Miramichi at Papa Joe's Country Store and Carter's Family Convenience and are also available to order for mail delivery. Tournament pass sells for $20 for adults and $15 for students. Day passes will be available at the door.

For more information or to order tournament passes, contact Liz Doyle at 506-625-5222 or lizdoyle@hotmail.com